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Fall Festivities Bring Record Attendance and Donations for Kids Cancer Foundation

Wellington, Florida (November 3, 2016) – This fall season the Wellington and Palm Beach communities have continued a legacy of excellence in bringing resources and funding to the Kids Cancer Foundation of South Florida. Dedicated to providing hope and support to patients and families battling childhood cancer, the Kids Cancer Foundation received record donations and attendance at three charity events: the Wellington 10 Miler, 5k and Fun Run, Wicked at The Wanderer’s Club, and the KCF Fall Festival at St. Peter’s Methodist Church.

From its beginnings over a decade ago, the Wellington 10 Miler has grown to encompass not only a great fitness, family, and charity event, but also a source of remembrance, resources, and ultimately hope for those affected or enduring the plight of childhood cancer. Organized by the Wellington Runner’s Club, this year’s event took place on Sunday, October 23, 2016 and included the 10 Miler, Sebastian’s 5k, and Kids Fun Run. Its course wove through the scenic tropical landscape of the Wellington Environmental Preserve at the Marjory Stoneman Douglas Everglades Habitat off Flying Cow Road, and at its completion set numerous milestones, including record attendance and a record donation for the Kids Cancer Foundation.

Sebastian’s 5k is named in memory of Sebastian Sarmiento, a 9-year-old who bravely battled cancer and endured more in his brief life than any one person should. His unwavering hope and courage in the face of incredible hardship is a reflection of the daily battle waged by the children of the Kids Cancer Foundation, and the funds raised by Sebastian’s 5k and the entire event go directly to help other families in the south Florida community who are facing the same battle and make their fight a bit easier.

With the 10 miler designed as a fall tune up race for those training for full and half marathons and the Sebastian’s 5k Run/Walk appealing to the more casual running enthusiast, the event brought in a family element with the Kids Fun Run, which took place after the 10 Miler. The Palm Beach County Sheriff’s Office also designated Sebastian’s 5k as their Couch to 5k event, a program designed to boost fitness and overall health. The PBSO’s involvement brought droves of runners to Wellington for the event, contributing to its overall success. And, representing Wellington’s own choice sport, a few famous equestrian names could be found on the roster, including Argentina’s Nic Roldan. Roldan, who is an internationally successful polo star and Ambassador for the Kids Cancer Foundation, ran in Sebastian’s 5k.

“Last weekend’s race was a blast like always,” said Roldan. “It’s an event my friends and I always look forward to participating in. The weather was perfect and the turnout was huge. Biggest yet. The KCF family has become part of my life, and it is such a blessing and honor to be able to help support and raise funds for children in need.”

For those looking for a little less fitness, more entertainment, and equitable charity, the Young Professionals of Wellington hosted its fourth annual Wicked at the Wanderer’s Club Halloween gala which also gave revelers the chance to make a difference in the lives of those affected by childhood cancer. Hosted at the spectacular Wanderer’s Club on October 29, 2016, over 250 attendees appeared decked out in spectacular costumes to dance the night away, including the Kids Cancer Busters, a take on the famous Ghostbusters. The generosity of this Halloween themed night no doubt will mean more support and resources for the patients and families of the Kids Cancer Foundation.

The previous Friday, October 28, the KCF’s busy schedule also took them to St. Peter’s Methodist Church, where they hosted a fun night of dancing, costumes, and candy for the kids and families. Star Wars, princesses, and superheroes were the costumes of choice, and the party enjoyed a DJ to keep everyone dancing, a bounce house, arts and crafts, a few golden retrievers (from?), food and of course plenty of candy to add to the spirit of Halloween. Nic Roldan and Darren Marotta also stopped by to have some fun, and during the celebration the Chasentailz Fishing Tournament presented the Kids Cancer Foundation with a $10,000 check from their event, which took place in September, making October a record year for the Foundation and its beneficiaries.

The Kids Cancer Foundation of South Florida is a 501(c)(3) non-profit charity that provides hope and support to local children and families battling childhood cancer. Their multifaceted program addresses patient family needs that range from financial assistance to psychological support and art programs, designed to ease the mental, financial, and emotional strain of battling childhood cancer for the entire family. Some of their support services and programs include:

▪ Over $400,000 in financial assistance
▪ Donations of over $200,000 in toys and gifts
▪ Treasure Boxes filled year round at hospitals and doctors’ offices
▪ Pediatric Oncology Patient Care Navigator Program to provide education and support to patients and families
▪ Arts and Health Program designed for patients and siblings, including therapeutic arts and crafts, play interactions, visual imagery and distraction techniques
▪ Gift Card Program which enables families to purchase basic necessities like food, clothing and gas to come to and from treatment
▪ Tutoring and Homework Club for patients and siblings, as well as an Educational Advocacy program to assist patients with school re-entry
▪ Family Socials
▪ Portable Play Carts
▪ Legacy Bead Program, where patients collect colorful beads that represent their journey through treatment

To date the Kids Cancer Foundation has helped over 500 patients and families and celebrated numerous End of Treatment Parties.

KCF Ambassadors

The KCF Ambassadors represent equestrian proponents of the Foundation that are a shining example of the results of treatment and KCF type therapies as well as community icons and role models who seek to raise awareness and funds for the KCF.

Polo: Nic Roldan

Fueled by intensity, passion and raw talent, Nic Roldan has become one of the top professional polo players in the world today and holds many of the highest accolades prized by the adrenaline-charged sport.

Born in Buenos Aires and raised in the U.S. and Brunei, the fourth generation polo player remembers swinging a polo mallet by age four. Nic captured his first major win – the coveted U.S. Open Polo Championship in 1998 with team Escue shortly after reaching professional status at age 14. Nic has charged polo fields on five continents and continues to add to his roster of wins. Polo’s hottest rising star, for whom Wellington is his home town, has now added to his resume Ambassador to the Kids Cancer Foundation, a local charity whose mission is to provide hope and support to children and families battling childhood cancer and/or blood disorders in our community a cause he is passionate about.

Dressage: Amy Speck-Kern

For Amy Speck-Kern, dressage is a passion that gave her the inspiration to overcome childhood cancer. This passion, combined with cutting edge treatment protocols and the support of her family, friends, and outreach groups, allowed her to defeat Acute Myleoid Leukemia (AML) and pursue her dream of a successful FEI dressage career.

“I know that I’m here because of the research,” said Speck-Kern. “The disease and course of treatment inspired me to pursue my passion, and find a way to give back to the cause that has made it possible.” Her passion can be found in the saddle, astride thousand-pound dressage horses she teaches to move and dance in tandem with their riders. Now a professional FEI dressage trainer in Loxahatchee, Florida, she rides, trains, shows, and competes on Wellington’s prestigious international show circuit. After learning from and working with some of the best trainers in the industry, Amy founded Excel Dressage and, leading into the 2016 show season, has begun the process of giving back to childhood cancer research.

For more information on the programs and support offered by the Kids Cancer Foundation, contact them at michelle@kidscancersf.org or (561) 371-1298.

Media contact:

Holly Johnson
Equinium Sports Marketing, LLC
holly@equinium.com
www.equinium.com
954 205 7992

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